This is Scott's interpretation of the birth of Jones, with my inserts of truth added in and marked by **. He wrote this in the hospital a day after Jones was born.
On Friday the 18th Whitney had been having contractions all day. I was busy editing video montage sequences for Delivery Agent. I was trying to cram everything in before Jones came. I stayed home from school that day because of Whitney’s lengthier and more painful contractions. We weren’t sure if it would happen on Friday night or if we’d have to wait for her to be induced on Saturday. As they got more intense around 6pm we thought that we should make our way towards the hospital. We both decided that because the contractions weren’t too painful, we’d stop and have one last dinner out together. We ate at a small pizzeria on Clement Street near the hospital then headed to the hospital as the contractions got more intense. **
Because it was a Friday night on Clement Street we had to park a couple blocks away and walk to the pizzeria, but not before walking around for several blocks first just deciding on a place to eat. Walking is the wrong word, waddling and wincing is more like it. **
We took a walk around the hospital for about 30 minutes and looked at the nursery. It provided us with a little inspiration as the contractions got more intense and we had to team up to breathe through them. After about 2 hours we were transferred up to the delivery room and we continued to work through the contractions for another hour until midnight when Whitney got an epidural, which was probably the most painful part of this process **
Not painful, just uncomfortable**, other than the postpartum uterine pains, according to Whitney, and my sleeplessness. I mean my being tired all the time. When I get the chance I actually sleep like a rock (ok, my pain has been minimal, but come on, I had to mention the lowly husband’s suffering too). After the epidural was done, Courtney and Kensley arrived to assist with everything and they were fantastic. Mallory and Schuyler showed up shortly thereafter and they all stayed the night in the delivery and waiting rooms. With no pain, Whitney and I were able to sleep that night until about 6 am. **
The preceding statement is false, but is Scott is such a deep sleeper that he has no idea when I’m awake. I slept for about an hour that night, Courtney can attest to it.**
We then prepared for the birth over the next 6 hours. Our nurse was a large woman from Oakland and she was fantastic. She was sweet to Whitney and she made me appreciate the value of a good, caring, and loving nurse. Nurses can go a long way in making birth a pleasant experience. Dr. Green, the current physician, mentioned that Jones was in the wrong position, a stargazer as she put it. He was probably compensating for Whitney’s narrow birth canal at her pelvic bone. The doctors kept moving back the time of pushing until finally she began to push around 12:30 or so. She did it off and on until Dr. Moy, Whitney’s OB, showed up to do the delivery. She was great. Mallory filmed with my camera and Kensley took pictures. The birth was fascinating. Whitney pushed with all her might 3-5 times with every contraction. After about 20 minutes of intense pushing, and with the help of Dr. Moy’s hands, Jones came out, paused for a moment and then started crying. Dr. Moy suctioned out his nostrils and mouth and immediately placed him on Whitney’s chest. Whitney instantly started crying, overjoyed at the new arrival. I felt a rush of the Holy Ghost go through me and felt complete peace. I had prayed many times that I would be able to be strong and supportive during the pregnancy. God answered my prayers because nothing phased me in the delivery room. He also answered our prayers with Jones. We had prayed that he’d be strong and healthy and that the delivery would go smoothly. He was a very healthy 7 lbs. 1 oz. and looks like a million bucks. We can’t quite tell who he likes look yet because of his swollen baby face, but we’re sure he’s a cutie because he has an adorable little nose, eyes, ears, mouth, face, and body. Ok, everything about him is adorable. He’s a helpless little creature and I love him for it.
After the birth Whitney got stitched up because she had a third degree laceration. Scary, but she’s doing much better the day after, which pleases me a great deal. We had some visitors today too. The Swanns, Amy Ingols, Tim Koide, and Sam and Leah Price. And Kensley has valiantly and unselfishly helped us out this whole time. We wish Courtney could have stayed, but she has babies of her own to take care of. I’m touched by the kindness of others during this whole process. It’s a testament that God cares for us, and loves his children. He is constantly answering our prayers, even the smallest ones.
A birthing perspective
By Scott Christopherson
What the boys did.
Jones with Kensley.
The Aguilars.
Jones' beanie from Kenny and Nancy.
